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Below Average

#1149 of 1,363 schools in MD

James Mchenry Elementary

Elementary School · Prince George's County Public Schools

8909 Mchenry Ln, Lanham, MD 20706

Enrollment

676

Student-Teacher

14.1:1

Score

4.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#1,149 of 1,363

In Lanham

#7 of 8

public schools

In district

#147 of 194

Prince George's County Public Schools

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James Mchenry Elementary

4.5/10

Elementary School in Lanham · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Thomas Johnson Middle

6.1/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

The Academy of Saint Matthias the Apostle

6.4/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About James Mchenry Elementary

James Mchenry Elementary is a public elementary school in Lanham, MD, part of Prince George's County Public Schools. James Mchenry Elementary serves approximately 676 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. James Mchenry Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,149 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for James Mchenry Elementary show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.4
  • MD avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

40% of students at James Mchenry Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.77 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6.7% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency23.4% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-23.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-27.7 pts
Overall Proficiency15% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)15% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected+0.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,789
Chronic Absenteeism40.1%

James Mchenry Elementary — Students at James Mchenry Elementary score 15% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

87.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 31.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 39.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 28 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
75%
ELA
79%
2010
Math
68%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
74%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
70%
ELA
74%
2013
Math
63%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
8%
ELA
14%
2015
Math
15%
ELA
17%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
18%
2018
Math
18%
ELA
28%
2019
Math
18%
ELA
28%
2020*
Math
3%
ELA
10%
2021*
Math
3%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
4%
ELA
26%
2025
Math
6.7%
ELA
23.4%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.0/10.

How James Mchenry Elementary Compares

See how James Mchenry Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
16th percentile in MD
Academic
4.5/10
Below Average
Growth
4.0/10
Below Average
Environment
5.6/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
87%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
40.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

8909 Mchenry Ln, Lanham, MD 20706

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering James Mchenry Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Glenarden Woods Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Robert Goddard Montessori (rated 9.0/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Seabrook), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Legends Public Charter School (rated 6.7/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lanham, see our Lanham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Thomas Johnson Middle Lanham 0.5 mi 6.1
THE ACADEMY OF SAINT MATTHIAS THE APOSTLE Lanham Seabrook 0.7 mi 6.4
HIGH ROAD ACADEMY OF PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY Lanham 0.6 mi 5.4
Legends Public Charter School Lanham 0.7 mi 6.7
Seabrook Elementary Seabrook 0.8 mi 5.0
M&M LEARNING CENTER Lanham 1.5 mi 3.9
Gaywood Elementary Lanham 1.5 mi 6.3
LANHAM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lanham Seabrook 1.5 mi 6.1
SHABACH! CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Landover 1.7 mi 6.4
Ardmore Elementary Springdale 1.7 mi 5.5
Carrollton Elementary New Carrollton 1.5 mi 3.8
Magnolia Elementary Lanham 1.9 mi 3.7
Glenarden Woods Elementary Lanham 1.8 mi 9.2
GENESIS CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Glenarden 2.0 mi
Robert Frost Elementary New Carrollton 1.8 mi 5.0
Robert Goddard Montessori Seabrook 2.1 mi 9.0
Charles Herbert Flowers High Springdale 2.1 mi 5.7
Charles Carroll Middle New Carrollton 1.7 mi 5.6
Catherine T. Reed Elementary Lanham 2.2 mi 5.8
Duval High Lanham 2.2 mi 5.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20706 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$100,061

Median Home Value

$408,600

Median Rent

$1,797/mo

Population

43,225

College Educated

33.7%

Homeownership

72%

Avg Commute

32.7 min

Poverty Rate

9.5%

Median Age

38.5

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Arthur Middleton Elementary School Waldorf, MD 4.5
Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School Baltimore, MD 4.5
Cool Spring Elementary Adelphi, MD 4.5
Georgian Forest Elementary Silver Spring, MD 4.5
Harford Hills Elementary Baltimore, MD 4.5
Langley Park-McCormick Elementary Hyattsville, MD 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about James Mchenry Elementary

What grades does James Mchenry Elementary serve?

James Mchenry Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend James Mchenry Elementary?

James Mchenry Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 676 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at James Mchenry Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at James Mchenry Elementary is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does James Mchenry Elementary rank in MD?

James Mchenry Elementary ranks #1,149 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is James Mchenry Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

James Mchenry Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at James Mchenry Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, James Mchenry Elementary has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is James Mchenry Elementary a charter school?

No, James Mchenry Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is James Mchenry Elementary a Title I school?

No, James Mchenry Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Mchenry Elementary?

87.4% of students at James Mchenry Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
33 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
676
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
48
Free/Reduced Lunch
87.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Prince George's County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
40.1%

District

Prince George's County Public Schools
District Enrollment
131,310
Schools in District
199
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,789
District Rank
#147 of 194

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